Method of tanning hides



Patented Apr. 7, 1931 warren STATES JOSEPH M. BROWN, CAIBOT, ARKANSAS METHOD or TANNING RIDES N'o Drawing.

This invention relates to a method of pre" paring and tanning hides, the primary object of the invention being to provide a method to accomplish the tanning ofleather or hides, eliminating the necessity of using tanning machinery, in the preparation of the leather.

Another object ofthe invention is the provision of a solution for treating the leather,

which will insure a soft pliable leather, eliminating any possibility of the grain of the leather drawing or wrinkling under the treatment.

In carrying out the method forming the 1 subject matter of the present invention, the leather or hides to be treated are first freed of the hair, by the liming method, after which the lime is thoroughly removed from the tissues of the hides by soaking the hides in clear water, it being of course understood that in cleansing the hides of the lime, the water is changed from three to siX times.

The materials and proportions used in treating, for example one hundred pounds of leather or hides, are as follows:

Twelve pounds of gum catechu, six ounces of fluid extract of wild haw and three pounds of powdered alum dissolved in warm water before adding the alum to the tanning solution.

While'I have stated the materials and pro portions to be used in tanning one hundred pounds of leather or hides, it is of course understood that these materials may be increased or reduced proportionately for treating greater or less quantities of leather or hides.

After the leather or hides have been pre pared for the tanning solution, one-half of 40 the amount of gum catechu, or six pounds, is dissolved in hot water, using a clean vessel, which solution is added to a quantity of water that will completely submerge the leather or hides to be treated. When the solution cools, the hides under. treatment are kept submerged for twenty-four hours, after which the hides are removed and all of the flesh is removed in the usual manner.

To the solution from which the hides have been removed, is added the remaining amount Application filed November 16, 129. Serial No. 407,790.

of gum catechu, or six pounds, as well as the required amount of fluid extract of wild haw and solution of alum.

The hides are allowed to remain in the solution until completely tanned, which requires 5 "from five to fifteen days, according to the thickness of the leather, andwhen the hides have been properly tanned, the hides are removed and finished.

In finishing the hides, the hides are washed in clear water and the hides are well oiled (few exceptions, in the tanning of hides with the hair or fur remaining thereon, in which case the lining process is of course omitted, and the hides are prepared for the tan by washing, and it dry, soaking until soft and pliable. The flesh is of course removed from the flesh sides of the hides. The tan solution, when used in tanning hides wherein the fur has not been removed, comprises the mix:- ingof the entire quantities of materials above mentioned, so that the combined strengths of the three chemicals as proportioned in the above described manner will at once close the pores of the skin on the grain side and fix the fur so that there will be no danger of the fur shedding at the time of immersion, or after the hides have been cured.

The hides are now thoroughly washed and spread on a flat surface and the flesh sides of the hides oiled lightly with fish oil, after which the hides are thoroughly dried and the flesh sides of the hides sandpapered or finished in any desired manner.

I claim:

1. A method of tanning green hides, co11- sisting in removing the hair from the hides, submitting the hides to the action of water containing liquid extract of gum catechu, further subjecting the hides to the action of the solution to which fluid extract of Wild haw o and alum have been added, and finally Wash-v ing and drying the hides. 1 2. A method of tanning green hides, con- 5 sisting in removing the hair from the hides,

subjecting the hides by submersion to the action of Water containing liquid extract of gum eateohu, allowing the hides toremain in the solution for twenty-four hours, removing the hides from the solution, removing the flesh from the hides, further subjecting the hides to the'action of the solution from which the hides have been removed, and to Which a quantity of liquid extract of gum catechu 1:) has been added, further subjecting the hides vto the aetionoffthesolution after fluid ex- ;tract ofwildhaw and aquantity of alum dis solved in water have been added, and finally I c leaninganddrying the hides. no methodof tanning green hides, consistinginsubmerging the hides-in ater to which a quantityof .liquidextracto'f igum cateehu has been added, further subjecting the hides to the action of the solution after a quantity offluid extract of WllClllflW has been added,- subjecting'the'hides to the action of the solution-after a quantity of alum has beenaddedto-the solution, and finally Wash- ]inganddryingthe hides. d 7 an *In testimonythat l elaimvthe foregoing as my wn, I have hereto affixed my signature.

I mark 

